Combat the winter blahs and get rid of that stark and bare feeling in your home by using my special winter decorating recipe to keep your home feeling and looking cozy during this season.

Just like a lot of people, my home always feels stark, bare and not so cozy after all of my Christmas decorations are taken down. Also, like a lot of people, my decorating mojo is a bit on the low side this time of year. It’s almost like I spent all of my creative juices during the frenzy leading up to Christmas. My brain and my body need a break.

To combat the “cold bare naked house syndrome”, I’ve come up with a way that we can all make our winter decorating easy peasy. A way that doesn’t take any time at all and one that doesn’t require me to come up with a lot of creative, outside of the box ideas. My secret weapon? A winter decorating recipe.

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I’ve found myself using the same elements year after year, so my recipe is basically the list of all the ingredients that I need to keep on hand to create a warm, cozy and inviting home that will carry us through the winter.

My home tells me that it feels best when I take nature into consideration when decorating this time of year. So, to come up with my recipe, I took a look at the outside world and made a mental note of what nature has on display during the winter. Depending upon where you live, your outside view might be different from mine, but here in central North Carolina I see evergreen trees, bare branches and wood, sometimes frost, snow or ice and mostly gray skies.

PATTERN, PATTERN EVERYWHERE

I love, love, love to mix patterns in my rooms! Not all patterns play well together, but if done correctly, I think that it adds so much interest and brings a room to life.

WOOD TONES AND BARE BRANCHES

I was able in incorporate several ingredients from my winter recipe when I decorated my fireplace for winter a couple of years ago. I used bare branches from the woods around our yard in large white containers and ginormous pinecones in a basket to bring in the wood tones.

CANDLESTICKS AND LANTERNS

Think outside of the box when it comes to using candlesticks and lanterns. They don’t have to be on a tabletop of some sort. In a previous winter dining room, I displayed candlesticks up on a vintage shelf. My diy hanging lanterns live in the room year round, but they fit right in with my winter recipe.

COZY BLANKETS AND PILLOWS

This leather chair doesn’t live in our home any longer, but this is still a good example of how to create a cozy nook in your home. Decked out with a flannel pillow and furry throw, this spot in last year’s winter family room is just right for snuggling into with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa!

WHITE CANDLES AND EVERGREENS

Evergreen branches (real or faux) can be tucked in just about anywhere, but one of my favorite ways is to combine the two in a container of some kind. I think it took me all of five minutes to put this super easy centerpiece together for my breakfast room table.

METAL CONTAINERS

The galvanized metal buckets and tray that I used on my winter breakfast room shelves a couple of years ago, make me think of the gray winter skies that seem to be so prevalent this time of year.

I’m still working on my winter decorations for this year, but no matter what I do, you can believe that I’ll be using this recipe!

Comments

I was feeling the same way with my decorating for Christmas. My heart just wasn’t in it this year. I didn’t put near as many decorations up as I normally do, but I don’t think anyone noticed but me. All that to say, give yourself permission to be ok with less than your best. Take inspiration from what you did in previous years that you loved and then just recreate those elements. I can’t imagine the pressure that Home bloggers feel to always be coming up with new ideas and ways to decorate for every holiday and season. And then have it done so early too.

Thank you for the winter home decorating tips. I love all the elements you’ve brought together to create the warmth and coziness needed to combat the winter doldrums. Your decorating recipe looks easy, pretty, and affordable.

Hi Beth. The recliner came from a HUGE furniture store near us call Furnitureland South. You can order from them online, but I wouldn’t recommend this particular recliner. Even though it was a bit pricey (over $1k), it hasn’t held up well at all. Don’t get me wrong – Furitureland sells tons and tons and tons of great quality brands, but this particular chair just isn’t worth recommending to anyone. :/

What a handy thing to have–a formula for Winter decorating! Will you have one for Valentine’s Day? I am perplexed about how to integrate the Valentine decor with the Winter decor. Have any examples of that?

Hi Naomi. I don’t have a post addressing specifically what you’re asking about, but that’s a good idea for the future! This may be more Valentine’s Day decor in one place that you’re looking for, but this post will show you how I decorated the open shelves in my kitchen last year: https://www.worthingcourtblog.com/easy-valentines-decorating/

Really great tips! I’m finally on the birch log train…really love the winter look for my Central Florida home 😉 I’m wondering if you put the wood/metal element back up over your fireplace or if this is an older picture-at any rate the simplicity of the fireplace is inspiring. I LOVE the plaid blends on the sofa side, but the sofa wall confuses my eye trying to take it ALL in. Just a thought.
I love that you use lots of wood and darker wood tones- it’s authentic and always on point! 👏 Thank you for your tips and encouragement to express our love for others through our homes. 😇

Glad you found some good tips, Deb! No, I haven’t put the wood/metal piece back above the fireplace – this is an older picture. I agree there is a lot going on on the wall behind the couch! I loved it for a while, but I’ve taken it all down and am working on something different for that area. Haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to do yet, but I’ve been posting about my ideas in my Instagram stories from time to time. That’s a good place to see what I’m doing from day to day and to see some of what goes on behind the scenes. 😀

Are your plaid pillows only covers? I need covers, not pillows. TOO many pillows to store.
Please give some hints on where to buy pillow covers and what size pillows to mix for a nice assortment to display. Liking this look!

Hi Nan. The plaid pillows are actually pillows, not just covers. I have the same issue when it comes to storing all those pillows! I’ve ordered pillow covers from Amazon, Ikea, Pottery Barn and Wayfair. Hope this helps!

Hi Suzy! It’s been too long since my last visit to your delightful blog and I thoroughly enjoyed my journey with you and your amazing ideas this morning! One blog took me to another and I became consumed! I particularly liked reading this entry of yours from last year on ‘combatting the the winter blahs’! The white candles and greens are lovely and although I’ve already placed lots of pillows and blankets around, you’ve convinced me I need more!!

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